Electrochemical Cell Cap Assembly for Sealed Electrolyte Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cylindrical electrochemical cells lack an injection port on the cap assembly, requiring electrolyte injection before cap assembly installation, which is inefficient and prone to evaporation of liquefied gas electrolytes. A cost-effective solution is needed to simplify the manufacturing process while preventing electrolyte evaporation.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly with an integrated electrolyte injection port, vent, and metallic electrical contact surface, featuring a concentric design to minimize footprint, volume, and cost, allowing the cap assembly to be fixed onto the cell housing before electrolyte injection and ensuring immediate sealing to prevent evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cap assembly is installed after electrolyte injection, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the electrolyte evaporates immediately
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly with integrated injection port is installed on the cell housing before electrolyte injection. This preliminary installation of the cap assembly allows the injection port to be in place ready for electrolyte injection, enabling the electrolyte to be injected through the pre-installed cap assembly rather than requiring post-injection cap installation
Solution Approach 2:
The injection port is merged into the cap assembly structure itself, creating an integrated component where the cap assembly includes both the sealing function and the electrolyte injection function. This merging eliminates the need for separate injection port components and allows the cap to remain sealed during storage and transport while enabling electrolyte injection through the integrated port
2Loss of substance
If the cap assembly is fixed before electrolyte injection, then electrolyte evaporation is prevented, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The injection port is merged into the cap assembly structure itself, creating an integrated component where the cap assembly includes both the sealing function and the electrolyte injection function. This merging eliminates the need for separate injection port components and allows the cap to remain sealed during storage and transport while enabling electrolyte injection through the integrated port
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly serves multiple functions: it provides sealing for the cell housing, contains the electrolyte injection port, and enables both sealed storage and controlled electrolyte injection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall manufacturing process despite the added capability of pre-installation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple features are added to the cap assembly, then functionality is enhanced, but the cap volume and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The injection port, vent, and electrical contact surface are merged into the cap assembly structure itself. These features are integrated into the cap body rather than being separate components, which minimizes the additional volume and mass required while maximizing the functionality of the cap assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly features (injection port, vent, electrical contact surface) are positioned concentrically to minimize the footprint and overall volume of the cap. The local arrangement of these features in a compact concentric pattern allows high functionality while keeping the cap assembly size minimal
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cap assembly simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and effectively prevents electrolyte evaporation by allowing cap assembly installation before electrolyte injection and ensuring a gas-tight seal, enhancing the efficiency and functionality of the electrochemical energy storage device.
Implementation Method 1
a vent constructed to form a vent opening from the inner surface to the outer surface when a vent pressure differential is achieved between an outer surface pressure and an inner surface pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A cap assembly is disclosed that creates a gas-tight seal with a cell can housing. The cap assembly has an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter edge. The cap assembly further includes an electrolyte injection port forming a port opening between the outer surface and the inner surface, a vent constructed to form a vent opening from the inner surface to the outer surface when a vent pressure differential is achieved between an outer surface pressure and an inner surface pressure. The vent is positioned (a) concentric to the electrolyte injection port, and (b) closer to the perimeter edge than the position of the electrolyte injection port.